Tuesday, March 31, 2009

3 cards - 3 techniques

Hi There,

Having a snow day here. Glad I don't have to go anywhere. Going to get right to the cards today. Using same stamp set just doing some different techniques with each one. Stick around, you might want to try one of these out.
The stamp set I've used on all the cards is Thoughts & Prayers. For this card I stamped the main image in versamark and then embossed with detail black embossing powder. Then using my chalks or also named pastels I used a sponge dauber to apply different colors of chalk to color in the image. Having the image embossed keeps it clear and sharp and prevent the chalk from adhering to the image.

This card I stamped in waterproof dye based black ink and then on each leaf I applied glue with a 2-way glue pen. I allowed the glue to semi-dry (all the blue color is gone) and then I sprinkled fine glitter over the image and rubbed it in with my finger. Now brush off all extra glitter with a stiff bristled brush and return the extra glitter to the container to be used again. Click the image to get a closeup.

I inked this card with Kiwi Green and then used a wet q-tip to remove the green color from the flowers. Utilizing the other end of the q-tip I wet the q-tip with Baha Breeze re-inker and colored in each of the flowers. I then stamped it to the cardstock. The "In Color" from Stampin' Up don't come with a marker so this is one way to be able to color directly to the stamp without a marker. For just a little bling I put a little drop of glue in the centre of each flower and added some dazzling diamond glitter overtop.

As you can tell I also like a little ribbon to dress things up.

Have yourself a good afternoon.

Yvonne

Monday, March 30, 2009

Baby Cradle - Woodworking

This project is crafty too but not of the papercraft nature. Thought I would share a couple photos of the baby cradle my DH just finished for the new Granbaby...due date two weeks from today. We are definitely on the countdown now.

Anyway, I thought it turned out great. It rocks or it can be secured so it doesn't move. Just have to get a mattress for it now. Talked to our son last night and he figures after the baby is born they will come for a visit and him and his father can make a crib too. Kevin was surfing the internet last night for patterns for cribs. Found one that I like that converts into a bed for later use.

I'm off to shop today...I'm going to make a diaper cake. Stay tuned I'll be back with something else.





Thanks for looking and I hope you are enjoying the posts as much as I enjoy posting each day.

Yvonne

One More Fifth Avenue

Happy Monday,

Well we did go to Antigonish on the week-end. Stayed up Saturday night and had a great time with Bob & Pam. It's always so much fun.

This card I made last week...I do have some more new stamp sets to showcase this week. Pretty easy card...the layering dresses it up a bit. The flower was stamped on vellum and then colored in from behind with markers. Getting the vellum damp makes it curl and gives nice shape to a flower. For the centre I used a half pearl from the "Pretties" kit. I layered the flower onto a scalloped circle punch and paper pierced each scallop. The big circle and scallop was cut using a sizzix die from Stampin' Up. Designer paper for the background and the new oval scallop punch to layer the stamped image from the new "Oval All" stamp set. The cardstock colors are Chocolate Chip and More Mustard.


We have more manly cards and sympathy cards to show you in the next couple days.

Yvonne

Saturday, March 28, 2009

he who has the most tools wins.

Another sleepless night so I thought I would get my post in early for the day.
This is another Stampin' Up set which is current - Totally Tool. Used black, always artichoke and kraft cardstock. Did a little tearing on the black strip for added texture and dimension. The screwdriver and saying (they are all on one stamp) are stamped in versamark and embossed using black detail. I colored the handle in with a marker and for the metal tip I used a metallic marker. The Happy Birthday is also embossed in black. Wasn't sure how that was going to turn out as I had already used a texture plate on the background however, I dug out my ever trusty stamp positioner to make sure I placed the words right where I needed them and tada...it worked.
I randomly stamped some of the other tools on a piece of Kraft cardstock and layered that as well. Do you like my little black screws...I didn't have any black brads but also didn't want to emboss them so I rubbed my silver brads into my black stazon pad and made black brads or black screws.

I think I'll head to my craft room for a bit, got an idea floating around in my head.
Probably no post on Sunday as we're heading to Antigonish in a few hours. The weather is supposed to be nice - +10 so we're taking "Mia" for a drive. That's our little sports car. lol We'll probably be spending the night with our friends.

Have a nice week-end and I'll see you Monday.

Yvonne

Friday, March 27, 2009

Scene in a Garden

Quick post as I need to get ready for work. Playing at the craft store today.

This is a new set from the Occassions Mini Catalogue. You'll be able to see it online on April 1st. It has seven individual stamps.
I stamped all the images once on the natural cardstock and then stamped the vase, table, bird, and the bottom pot from the stack a second time on another piece of natural cardstock. After they were colored in with watercolor crayons I layered them up with dimensionals for depth. Just like when we used to papertole. lol The flowers coming out of the vase have little dots of white gel pen - wanted it to look like pussywillows. The red cardstock is Riding Hood Red and I used the paper piercer to punch holes in the foldd down corner and placed a cordory brad/button for my embellishment. The "To My Friend" saying is from Fundamental Phrases. The color of the base of the card is So Saffron. For added elements I also tore the edge of the paper and sponged Chocolate Chip ink around the edges. I used a little chalk to shadow under the table, rubber boots and plant pots. Choose the chalk over using the watercolor crayons and aqua painter in case I didn't like how it turned out I could simple erase it and start again.

If you do a close up of the card you might be able to see more depth.

Tomorrow a manly card.

Have a good stamping day.

Yvonne

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Crayon Resist

Hi There,

Thursday already...where does the week go? A little work, a lot of crafting...that sums it up.
I will be posting pics soon of the baby craddle my DH is making for the new Granbaby. It's almost done. Pretty much just the finish on the wood is left. It looks so cute. he must keep working at it though as we are running out of time....

Back on track again. Today's card - First I'll start by saying almost all the the cards/projects that you see are designed by me. If I got a template from somewhere I will acknowledge where (if I can remember - some are ideas from many years ago) or who the idea came from. This card I totally CASED from another blog. It worked well with the Fith Avenue Floral stamp set. No need to explain it in writing when you can watch and listen.

To view a tutorial on this card click over to Dawns Stamping Studio. She does a great job on tutorials.


I'll be back tomorrow with another card or I might drop back later today. I've been busy designing.

Yvonne

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Fifth Avenue Floral

Hi There,

Today the day to showcase "Fifth Avenue Floral".

To start, all materials are Stampin' Up! Cardstock used was Pumpkin Pie, Apricot Appeal, Basic Black and watercolor paper. I used the new embossing folder from SU called Manhattan Flower Die and it works just like the Cuttlebug embossing folders. This folder co-ordinates with the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set. I choose to use the lily on this card. I watercolored in with my watercolor crayons (not pencil crayons)and aqua painter. The flower is layered onto black cardstock which is raised by dimensionals to give more depth. I did faux stitching on the Apricot Appeal layer and used my black marker. For a little added "WOW" I used Dazzling Diamond Glitter on the stamens. The saying is a new stamp from the Occassions mini called "Oval All" and the Scallop Oval Punch is a new release as well. The scallop oval layers to the large oval that Stampin' Up released a few months back. The sentiment is raised up using dimensionals as well.

I'm going to spend my day in my craft room. Yippee! Some people say, "Don't you ever get tired of crafting?" Hugh...what are these people thinking....they are obviously not crafters. Leave me a comment ... Do YOU ever get tired of crafting????

I have another card ready for tomorrow.....

Yvonne

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Birds & Branches

Good Morning,

I see even though it is officially spring somebody forgot to tell "Old Man Winter"...I'm hoping this won't stay around too long.

Even though I haven't posted for a few days I have been busy. I have four cards done but I won't show them all to you today. I mentioned a couple of days ago that I was doing some designing for a fellow Stampin' Up demonstrator. I must admit the first day I didn't get any stamping done as I was so overwelmed with all the new goodies to play with and didn't know where to start. Since then I've calmed down a little and am actually getting cards made. Not quickly but they are getting done.
Today's card is done using Stampin' Up supplies.

The card base is Chocolate Chip with Pink Pirouette next and the finally layer is Riding Hood Red. The pink strip on the top I used the eyelet border and Riding Hood Red ribbon. I did use the Nestabilities for the oval but Stampin' Up does have a large oval die as well. The bird and branches that are in Chocolate Chip were created using SU's exclusive sizzlits dies (they have a lot of steel dies designed for use in the Big Shot and some of them can be used in the Cuttlebug too.) The flowers are from a new stamp set that will be available in April called "Soft Summer". I finished the flowers off by placing a red brad in the centre and layering them up with dimensionals. The verse is from the stamp set - Curvy Verses.


A little hint of things to come - I'll be using "Fifth Avenue Floral" and one of their new embossing folders so stay tuned.

If you're bored today drop over to The Cutting Garden...I'm there this afternoon.

See you tomorrow.

Yvonne

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Sketch Challenge #11

Hi There,

I played along again with 52Sketches52Weeks. The link will take you directly to the sketch. The sketch is for one page and then I created a corresponding second page.

I'll just highlight some of the interesting things. The decorative border towards the bottom of the page. I used a strip of cardstock and Martha Stewarts border punch. Punched one edge first and then punched the other edge - gave a nice design.
The butterflies are cut out of a piece of pattern paper which co-ordinates with the pattern paper on the second page. The lettering and the circle cut out are all done with the Cricut. Prima flowers for embellishment with a brad in the centre.


The second page the scallop circle and the circle in the centre of the brown one were cut using Stampin' Up's exclusive Sizzix dies. I found a quote on the internet to print onto the yellow circle. It says "Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction." Thought it fit the picture!

The next few days I'm going to be doing some designing for another Stampin' Up demonstrator so stay tuned for a look at some of the new stamps that are coming out in the April mini catalogue. I also have a bunch of Stampin' Ups sizzix dies to play with. It's like Christmas at my house. Now that I have these two pages done I need to tidy my crafting room (so I can find the desk) and then I can start experimenting with the new stuff.

Stay tuned.

Yvonne

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

MoJo Sketch

Hi There,

Quick post this afternoon. I'm working on another scrapbook challenge sketch so that takes a lot of my time. Also worked at the store this morning.

This card was done from a sketch from MoJo Mondays. I did start the card last week but didn't get it finished in time to share on their website. You can click the highlighted area to see what the sketch looked like.

I used co-ordinating pattern paper. I always find it challenging when I'm using two different patterns.Layered my nestabilities and put pop dots between layers 2 & 3 and also under the fourth layer of the stamped image. The stamp was inked using markers. Quick card once you get all the paper picked out.

Signing off for tonight.

Yvonne

Monday, March 16, 2009

Co-ordinating Layout

Hello,
Start of a brand new week. Missed posting for a couple of days. Had stuff to post but didn't have the pictures taken of them.

Today's post is the co-ordinating scrapbook page for the layout I did last week of pictures from New York City. Continued using the same Basic Grey "Wassill" line of paper from the previous page.

I made a half circle for the left hand side of the page and then framed that with 3/4" red circles and to co-ordinate things I punched out 1/2 circles from the pattern paper to layer onto the red circles to tie the layouts together.
The journalling talks about both of us turning 50 and celebrating in New York. Things we did included a subway ride, carriage ride through Central Park, see the broadway musical "Chicago" and catching some late night comedy and the local clubs. Right...can't forget the beer and wings for lunch.
Think I'm going to try another scrapbook sketch from 52Sketches52Weeks. I'll let you know when I have something to share.

Until Later....
Yvonne

Thursday, March 12, 2009

"Nothing New"

Good Evening... Good Morning...Depending what time of the day you check your computer.
It's 2:00 a.m. and can't sleep...I keep thinking about my scrapbook page that is almost finished except for the journalling and title. I have it all in my head what I want to do but still seem to keep thinking about it. Okay, a few card ideas keep rolling around in there too!
Todays post...a group of us get together monthly and stamp, exchange coffee, eat goodies, chit chat and have an all around good time. One member suggested we do a card swap/mingle. We each make one card and then send it to a specified recipient. Sounds like a good idea...ooops there are stipulations on this swap. Everything that you are going to use has to be "new" and already in your stash. So you can't run out and buy stuff. Hmmmm, not as easy as we all thought....of course we all do have that "new" unused stuff.
So I probably had a sleepless night thinking about this card too, lol, but I started going through my "stuff". The paper I used has seen a few birthdays sitting in my paper rack. Some of you Antigonish gals may recognize it...I think we all bought some from Fran. The little candles and metal embellishment I got on a store bought card but never used the card...it was plain, so I recycled those items. The metal embellishment actually will hold the little candles.

I'm now thinking about a 3-D box that will hold those Cadbury eggs but I want to have acetate on the sides of the box so you can see the eggs standing up inside like an egg tray. I can't work on it right now cause I don't have the Cadbury eggs to do measurements. Anybody want to run me over some???? Just checking.

Lastly I would like to mention there is some amazing blog candy being offered by Kim over at Creative Diversions. Surf on over to her blog and check it out, leave a comment for your chance to win it.

I'm out of here...see you tomorrow.

Yvonne

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

"Big Apple"

Just as promised from yesterday I have a scrapbook page to share with you.
Last year I had found this scrapbooking site that offered weekly sketch challenges. I went there on and off all year and would sometimes use their sketch idea for a layout. I was busier last year and never took part in any of the challenges. This year, as I have a little more crafty time, I dropped by the site on Monday and found a new layout challenge.
If you go to 52Sketches52Weeks you can see the sketch that I based my layout on.

The photos were from our vacation to New York last June. I'm working on a co-ordinating page now for a two-page layout.
I used my cricut machine to cut the apples and the lettering. A fair bit of work piecing them all together. The big apple up in the corner has crystal effects over the red to give it a glossy look. The pattern paper was froma Basic Grey line at Christmas "Wassill" and the cardstock is a combination of Bazzill and Stampin' UP.

It was nice yesterday to get to meet one of my blog readers at the store. Hi Cindy!
Had a fun class last night as well and I'm putting my thinking cap on about having a sketch class there. (I'll talk to Kim some more today.) Best get moving as I do have to work this morning and I'll need to stop at Tim's for a coffee first.

Yvonne

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Just a Little Hello

The image on today's card is from a stamp I bought years ago. Somewhere on-line. lol I've recently started digging through a few of those and bringing them out for a play.
I colored the image with my aqua painter and a combination of Twinkling H2O's and Stampin' Up's watercolor crayons. The pattern paper is Stampin' Up's but discontinued (trying to use my stash of stuff) and the ribbon is from Costco. The brown cardstock is cuttlebugged. All the little circles made me think of the top of the toadstools.

I spent the day yesterday scrapbooking. I got a sketch off of the computer and worked from there. It's almost finished so I should be able to share it tomorrow.
This evening I'm at The Cutting Garden teaching a class so I'll have to get my play time in this morning.

Signing off till tomorrow.....

Yvonne

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Bursting in Bloom

Hi
Did you remember to set your clock ahead? Spring must be close now that we've had the officially moving of the clocks! Doesn't look like old man winter reset his clock. The snow is still falling. Oh well, what are you going to do about it...might as well craft.

Todays card is using My Minds Eye paper from The Cutting Garden and Bazzill cardstock with Stampin' Up ink and stamps.
I so love the colors in this card...so soft, warm, relaxed...okay back to reality(I was in my space). This is the a sample of the third card we'll be doing in the beginner stamping class. The other two are at the store.
Still a basic card - kept it to one color of ink and utilitzed pattern paper.

I think I'm going to try and use my camera to take photos of the cards instead of using the scanner for awhile. I can show a little more dimension with a photo versus a scan.
Had Chinese food last night downtown at the Great Wall...was it ever good. It's right across the street from Kevin's office...might have to get him to bring some home one of these nights instead of cooking as they do have take-out.
I'm heading on over to my craft room seeing how I tidied the house all morning.
Later,
Yvonne

Saturday, March 7, 2009

"Super Star" Spinner

Hi,

Had some of my "boy" stamps out from yesterday and thought I'd play a little more with them. The stamp set is "Toy Box" which is a retired Stampin' Up set.
Decided I wanted to do something with primary colors as I rarely use these.
This particular type of card is called a "Spinner" card. The airplane will spin down the track as the card is gently tipped from one end to the other. If you would like to try a card like this click here "Spinner Instructions"


If you haven't done this type of card before I would suggest trying a straight line first rather than a wavy opening for the image to slide along.
I'll probably take it to The Cutting Garden on Tuesday and leave it there for a few days if you're wanting a closer look.
Tomorrows card (is already done) and it will be one of the three cards I'm teaching in a beginner stamping class. You'll love the colors in it!

See you tomorrow!
Yvonne

Friday, March 6, 2009

Waiting Patiently - Not

Hello everyone in Blogland!

Today I'm posting some baby announcement cards. About another four weeks and I should be a first time Gramma. Okay that makes me sound old. lol Time for me to wake up and face reality...I am getting older but not old. There's a difference you know.
Am looking forward to a baby to cuddle, & spoil & then give back to Mom & Dad so I can sleep at night. This has to be our reward for all the sleepless nights we had as our children were growing up.

Overalls


Onesie

Both of these cards are a top fold and punches are used for the neck edge and leg holes. Unfortunately I don't have a punch that will slide in far enough to make the hole for the legs on the overalls. Guess I'll be cutting that by hand.

Think I'm going to head to The Cutting Garden today to stamp my samples for class.

Have yourself a good week-end.

Yvonne

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Spring Fix

Hello,

I figured I needed a touch of Spring. I've been working on this card for what seems like days. I started with the pattern paper which is usually a mistake with me. I'm better off picking my stamps and then my paper but I had it in my head that I wanted to use some of my stash. The paper was from a bulk purchase at Costco, the border punch is a Martha Stewart and the stamps are from Stampin' UP!

The flowers I stamped with Lavender Lace which is the same color as the cardstock. Cut the flowers out added some glitter around the centre and then a dew drop for the middle. The leaves are stamped with Handsome Hunter ink on Sage Shadow Cardstock. The flowers are raised up with dimensionals as is the words "happy spring". Added a few rhinestones on the border for a little more bling.

Hope this makes you feel that Spring will come sooner rather than later!

For anybody in the Halifax area that is interested I will be teaching a beginner stamping class at The Cutting Garden. We are taking names now for people interested and then will be picking a date that is suitable for most. Also if there is enough interest we would look at daytime classes as well. A beginner stamping class focuses on different types of inks, stamps, embossing powders and their uses. You will also make three different cards using your new knowledge.

Have a good day and "Think Spring"! (They do say - Mind over Matter)

Yvonne

Monday, March 2, 2009

Cuttlebug Challenge

Good Morning,
First the weather report...I'm glad to announce all the snow they were forecasting when I was coming home has not appeared. Makes me smile.
I created this card for the Cuttlebug Challenge - Burnised Velvet. Insturctions are on the card I did Saturday. I really like this technique except I have glitter everywhere. I just sparkle and it has nothing to do with my personality. lol
I used a glossy black cardstock for the strip I embossed the cuttlebug folder on. I've had that piece of black for about - forever - or at least 8 years. Decided it would be perfect for this project as the glitter brushes away easy from the glossy cardstock.
Swiss dot folder embossed the right hand side of the card. Kept everything very simple so not to take away from the technique I was featuring.
Some bling for the centre of the flowers and ribbon always dresses up any card!

Have lots to do today, including some housework. The back is feeling a little better so I will try to vacuum up some of the larger dust bunnies. Two cats create a lot of dust bunnies.
I'll try to squeeze in some crafty time too!

Yvonne